Descriptive and risk factor analysis of infantile cataracts: National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 2000–2011

Abstract

Using National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) data, we sought to estimate birth prevalence, describe clinical characteristics, and examine risk factors for infantile cataracts. We calculated birth prevalence using the numbers of NBDPS-eligible cataract cases and live births in the study area. We described case infants by the presence of associated ipsilateral eye defects (IEDs) and non-eye-related major birth defects. Using maternal exposure information collected via telephone interview, we conducted logistic regression analyses among the interviewed cases and controls.Birth prevalence of infantile cataracts was 1.07/10,000 live births. Unilateral cataracts were more often associated with IEDs, while infants with bilateral cataracts were more often preterm, full-term with low birth weight, or had non-eye-related major birth defects. Unilateral cataracts were positively associated with maternal nulliparity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18, 2.20; reference: multiparity), whereas bilateral cataracts were positively associated with maternal education <12 years (aOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.13, 3.82; reference: education >12 years), and foreign-born nativity (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.52; reference: U.S.-born nativity). The current analysis can inform future epidemiological studies aimed at identifying mechanisms underlying the associations between infantile cataracts and complex maternal exposures, such as lower levels of education and foreign-born nativity.

Allowing Standing and Assisted Steps in a Patient With Renshaw Type IV Sacral Agenesis

“…Sacral agenesis (SA) is a rare congenital malformation of the sacrococcygeal bone 1 that encompasses a wide spectrum of malformations of the caudal region of the spine. When associated with gastrointestinal or urogenital malformations it is referred to as caudal regression syndrome (CRS) 2 .…”

“…The estimated incidence of SA is between 1 and 5 cases per 100,000 births 1 . The main risk factor found is maternal diabetes, which increases the risk of SA 20-fold 1 .…”

“…The estimated incidence of SA is between 1 and 5 cases per 100,000 births 1 . The main risk factor found is maternal diabetes, which increases the risk of SA 20-fold 1 . Other related risk factors are folic acid deficit 4 , multiple pregnancies, smoking 1 , and retinoic acid intake 5 .…”

“…The main risk factor found is maternal diabetes, which increases the risk of SA 20-fold 1 . Other related risk factors are folic acid deficit 4 , multiple pregnancies, smoking 1 , and retinoic acid intake 5 . A failure of neurulation caused by a vascular deficit in the caudal mesoderm during the fourth week of gestation is presumed to be an etiologic factor 2,4-6 .…”

“…Ignacio Martínez-Caballero, MD, PhD 1 Santiago Gabardo, MD 2 María Galán-Olleros, MD 1 Guillermo García Cruz, MD 3 María Herraiz Ayll ón, MD 4 Rosa M. Egea-Gámez, MD 1…”